The problem of the function of the city and that of the philosopher in teaching virtue is central to Aristotle’s thought. Accord-ing to traditional Greek doctrine, moral education is based on both good paideia, good teaching, and good nature. And Aristotle sets as a necessary condition for the disciple of his ethical lessons, a certain knowledge of things of the world and a strong ability to master one’s passions. The acquisition of a noble and beauty-loving character is the goal to which the philosopher’s discourses tend, when the disciple is fit to receive them. For Aristotle, this is not a way of transcending human nature, but rather of realising it completely by acquiring a “second na-ture”. But the philosopher’s discourses are not sufficient to produce the transition from mere human nature to second nature. A political struc-ture is also needed to educate citizens at a young age, and force them to behave well when they are adults. Thus, Aristotelian virtue ethics and the theory of moral character formation result in a political doctrine.

Aristotele e la formazione del buon cittadino: natura, seconda natura e insegnamento.

Carlo Natali
2025-01-01

Abstract

The problem of the function of the city and that of the philosopher in teaching virtue is central to Aristotle’s thought. Accord-ing to traditional Greek doctrine, moral education is based on both good paideia, good teaching, and good nature. And Aristotle sets as a necessary condition for the disciple of his ethical lessons, a certain knowledge of things of the world and a strong ability to master one’s passions. The acquisition of a noble and beauty-loving character is the goal to which the philosopher’s discourses tend, when the disciple is fit to receive them. For Aristotle, this is not a way of transcending human nature, but rather of realising it completely by acquiring a “second na-ture”. But the philosopher’s discourses are not sufficient to produce the transition from mere human nature to second nature. A political struc-ture is also needed to educate citizens at a young age, and force them to behave well when they are adults. Thus, Aristotelian virtue ethics and the theory of moral character formation result in a political doctrine.
2025
Forme materiate. L'ilomorfismo aristotelico fra biologia, psicologia ed etica.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/5096150
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